6
Increased job opportunities Ease of travel Exchange programs Eligibility for post-secondary bursaries More people are bilingual than not Well-funded

7
 Canada has 2 official languages: English & French  A world language:  9 th most widely spoken language  3 rd most used language on the Web  Over 200 million speakers worldwide  Official working language of the IOC, NATO, UN, Red Cross & many global organizations  Related to Spanish, Italian & other languages

8
 Begins in Kindergarten  Language learning is easier for young children  Parent choice

9
 Begins in grade 6  Is a student choice  High motivation because of student buy in  Middle school model favours Late program  Offers a new challenge for students who enjoy learning

10
TOTAL: 1374

11
French Immersion Programs James Kennedy Early Walnut Grove Secondary Alex Hope Late Noel Booth Late Brookswood Secondary Belmont Early Betty Gilbert Late Aldergrove Community Secondary

14
 … students who successfully complete a French Immersion program attain functional bilingualism while doing as well as or better than their unilingual peers in the content areas of curriculum, including English Language Arts. (BC Ministry of Education)

15
 Pr ovince-wide student assessments show that Gr. 10 French Immersion students do as well as or better than non-immersion students in English language and Math skills.

16
You can confuse people. …becoming smarter than my parents. My speaking and everything has improved a lot. It’s easier to learn other languages… I actually look forward to French class! We get 2 certificates for graduation.